Isobel

I have to admit that dressing girls is a whole lot more fun than dressing boys. There just seems to be so much more fun stuff out there for girls, and they aren’t limited to just pants or trousers either . I mean, I have no objections to my son wearing skirts and dresses if he really wants to, but he really doesn’t so it’s not an option we explore much. Walk into a kids clothing store, or look online, and there are SO MANY bits and pieces I want to buy for the girls. When it comes to boys, I have to really search and more often than not the things I like are decidedly too ‘babyish’ now he’s the grand old age of eight. And because Bella and Elsie are so close in age and size, I literally cannot stop dressing them in matching outfits. Its so much fun! Here are my top three spring essentials for girls- I cannot wait to start clearing their wardrobes now! (more…)

Yesterday was National Sisters Day so the girls and I have been celebrating! Being one of five girls, I always knew I wanted a big family, and it hasn’t really been a surprise that three of my four are girls too. Girls are the theme of the family in general and sometimes I feel a little sorry for Luka being the only boy- but he loves it really. The lovely people at Zapf Creations asked if they could send us a BABY born interactive sister doll to mark the occasion, so of course we said yes! I was also challenged to ask the girls to think about what being a sister means to them, what they love about it and what they maybe would change if they could…! So here it is. Our thoughts on the BABY born interactive sister doll, and the girls’ thoughts on ‘why I love my sister.’… celebrating #NationalSisterDay in style!

The doll

The girls were so excited when the doll arrived! Bella is a huge fan of dollies and at the moment she absolutely loves styling hair so she was over the moon! I carefully explained that this one was to share with her sister, and so far it’s worked out ok. They do tend to share well in general, and I think they like the idea of the doll being another sister to play with. They’ve named her Anna. (more…)

Dear Motherhood… I love you. I really do. I love hearing my name being called when the house is silent and a little person has woken, thinking of me- ME!- before anything or anyone else. I love that I can hold their little bodies against mine and literally feel their heart begin to slow, to drop into rhythm with my own. I love that their heads fit perfectly into that little nook between my shoulder and my chin, so that they can nestle there for cuddles no matter how old or how big they are getting. I love that. I love you. But I need to tell you that sometimes I hate you too.

Sometimes you make me lonely. Back when my tummy was huge and my circle of friends was tiny, you took advantage of me. You swamped me with hormones, made me believe I was invincible. Made me think that I didn’t need anybody. Fooled me into thinking that all I needed in the world was my baby, and that was it. And for a long time, I took you at your word. I was that ‘super mum’ I’d dreamt of being, and you made it so easy for me first time around. It seemed so natural to put a baby to my breast and to hold her forever in a haze of warmth and love and utter contentment. It seemed so natural to think only of my baby and never of myself. It seemed so natural to want to do it again. You were so good for me. (more…)

A little while ago Ghostwriterdaddy and I were talking about how the kids don’t really collect things like we used to. I was so SO proud of my rubber collection. I had them all stored in an old Quality Street tin and would literally spending hours just sniffing them. I was easily pleased- don’t tell me I’m the only one! My favourite was a little pink ferrari that smelled of strawberries… so anyway. There seems to be so much stuff / toys in our house, but nothing that has really caught their attention and made them want to start a collection. They’ve had Match Attax cards, squinkies, Lego cards… but nothing sticks. That was, until Bella discovered Num Noms. And now, apparently, we have a collection in the making. Here are my thoughts on our Num Noms collection… series three.